Lest We Forget – Nurses on ANZAC Day

Lest We Forget
Nurses Memorial Centre, ANZAC Commemorative Service
held on Sunday, 17 April 2016

The importance of Anzac Day to Nurses can never be underestimated. Every year prior to Anzac Day, a special ceremony is held at the Nurses Memorial Monument on St Kilda Road, Melbourne. This monument commemorates Nurses who died during World War 2 and includes an inscription, which reads:

“… May they kindle in your hearts a torch
whose flame shall be eternal’.

The Nurses Memorial Centre was established by Victorian Nurses who had returned from World War 2, having survived the horrific atrocities of that conflict. Some of these Nurses had been held in captivity in Sumatra. This includes the late Betty Jeffrey OAM, and Vivian Bullwinkle AO, MBE, ARRC, ED, FNM. The achievements of these truly remarkable Nurses are deeply embedded in the history of Australian nursing.

Many wreaths were laid at the Nurses Memorial Centre on April 17th.

The Anzac Service is dedicated to the Nurses who gave their life and health in service to their country in times of war and peace. This moving ceremony attracts a large group of current and retired Nurses, community members and school students who all gather to pay their respects. It was pleasing to see many student Nurses present this year.

The wonderful voices of the KeyTones Choir sing at this event, which includes the moving lyrics of the Captives Hymn which was composed by Margaret Dryburgh. Margaret was an English woman who was a prisoner of war held captive alongside Australian Army Nurses in Sumatra.

The Reverend Dr Ruth Redpath led the Memorial Service this year. Acting President of the Nurses Memorial Centre, Mrs Karla Freer, conducted the wreath laying ceremony and also gave a speech. The many wreaths are laid by nursing and related organisations in remembrance of our fallen colleagues.

This year the Defence Force representatives included Group Captain Paula Ibbotson RAAF, Pipe Major Lance Corporal David Connolly, Lance Corporal James Maple and the Catafalque party, and Major Murray Pearson on behalf of Lieutenant Colonel Alison Kaine, the Commanding Officer, Australian Army School of Health. Following the service an address was given by Captain Amanda Garlick (Royal Australian Navy).

Ms Meg Ryan, Life Member and former Board Member of Nurses Memorial Centre, and Major Murray Pearson (representing the Australian Army School of Health) in front of the Nurses Memorial Monument on St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 2016

To find out more about the Nurses Memorial Centre, its history, membership and its scholarships (and to get involved) visit: www.nursesmemorialcentre.org.au

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Educated as a registered nurse at the Royal London Hospital, England, Cynthea Wellings migrated to Australia in 1981. Her nursing experience, both in England and Australia, involved working in community and general hospital settings, as well as a short period in mental health nursing. She has co-authored several books including ‘Why The World Needs Nurses,’ a book that explored the importance of nurses outside of their direct care role. Cynthea is an entrepreneur who founded Ausmed Education in 1987 - a highly successful company - where she remains the present day CEO. In 2014, Cynthea was a Winner of Australia's ‘100 Women of Influence’ by The Australian Financial Review and Westpac Bank.

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Educated as a registered nurse at the Royal London Hospital, England, Cynthea Wellings migrated to Australia in 1981. Her nursing experience, both in England and Australia, involved working in community and general hospital settings, as well as a short period in mental health nursing. She has co-authored several books including ‘Why The World Needs Nurses,’ a book that explored the importance of nurses outside of their direct care role. Cynthea is an entrepreneur who founded Ausmed Education in 1987 - a highly successful company - where she remains the present day CEO. In 2014, Cynthea was a Winner of Australia's ‘100 Women of Influence’ by The Australian Financial Review and Westpac Bank.

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